Archive for ROYLANE SOCRA ROBUST

The April 2015 Genetic Evaluations were anything but quiet. With six new sires in the top 10 TPI sires, there are certainly many changes and many new sires to cover. So let’s get started….

Top 10 Proven TPI Sires

#1. Supersire

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Seagull-Bay Supersire-ET TY
Robust x Planet x Shottle

With his first official daughter proof, Seagull-Bay Supersire not only validates his high genomics numbers (+2581 gTPI in April of 2012) but he actually outperforms it (+2613 gTPI April 2014). (Read more: Top 10 Genomic TPI Young Sires Review – April 2012) When you factor in the base change that occurred in August 2015, Supersire’s genomic PTAT proof of 2.78 (1.78 with rollback) was spot on with his current 1.77. Expect Supersire to leave daughters that are all around solid cows. While not show stoppers, he has a no holes type linear and strong production that make him a strong commercial sire. He has had a tremendous impact on genetics around the world. Supersire is living up to our prediction that he is a generational sire that will have a huge influence for years to come. (Read more: The 12 Genomic Sires Most Likely to Top the Proven TPI List in April 2016)

#2. Mogul

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Mountfield Ssi Dcy Mogul-ET TR TY
Dorcy BY x Marsh x O Man

While Mogul’s numbers held steady from his initial daughter proof last round, there are some concerns about Mogul’s type info in Canada (Dropped 8 points). But with 313 daughters in 130 herds (97%) in the US where Mogul is a solid +2.85 compared to 53 daughters in 34 herds (82% Rel) in Canada where is a +8 conformation, breeders can expect Mogul to be more like his US proof than his CDN one. The area of greatest variance between the two evaluations is his dairy strength. In Canada, Mogul is a -1 for dairy strength while in the US he is +1.87 for Dairy Form and +0.88 for Body depth. You will need to watch the SCS score as well as the DPR when using Mogul. Like Supersire, Mogul and his brother Mixer trace back to the WESSWOOD-HC RUDY MISSY EX-92-3E USA DOM GMD that has now proven to not only deliver superior genomic sires, but now also now has impact on the top proven sire list.

#3. Robust

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Roylane Socra Robust-ET TR
Socrates x O Man x Manat

Like a fine wine, Robust gets better with age. Since receiving his first proven daughter proof way back in August of 2012, Robust has increased his gTPI by 235 points and now stands at +2517 and holds the #3 proven sire slot in the US. Not only did Robust prove himself as a high genomic young sire, then a proven sire, but now, with sons like Supersire, he is showing that he deserves to be ranked up with sires such as Planet and Man-O-Man. He joins those sires that can deliver impact sons in the genomic era. While they are not high conformation, based on type classification, they are certainly cows that last (+7.5 PL). (Read more: SHE AIN’T PRETTY – SHE JUST MILKS THAT WAY!)

#4. Day

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Minnigan-Hills Day-ET TY
Super x Bolton x Shottle

For those of you who asking if top genomic sires end up as the top proven sires, Day makes the third sire from the top 10 genomic sires of April 2012 that are now in the top 10 proven sires. Mogul and Supersire are the other two. Day is the #2 new release sire this round. As we predicted in April 2012, Day daughters have proven to have greater dairy strength than his initial genomic proof would have predicted. (Read more: The 12 Genomic Sires Most Likely to Top the Proven TPI List in April 2016) Also, as predicted, Day’s official daughter proof for production is slightly lower than his genomic values though they are still very solid.

#5. Marcelon

Another new graduate to the list is Marcelon Cri. While certainly not 2012 genomic list topper, he was within that striking range that we tell breeders to watch for (10% or 250 gTPI points). Mercelon outperformed his genomic proof for components and especially for his DPR and conception rates. Much like his sire, Freddie, Marcelon daughters will not wow you with their conformation, but they last (+4.6 PL). They have great udders with close teat placements and strong feet and legs. One area you will want to protect Marcelon on is his angularity. His daughters are more round than they are sharp (to use aAa terms).

#6. Mixer

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Mountfield Ssi Dcy Mixer-ET TY
Dorcy BY x Marsh x O Man

Mixer moves up from number #12 last time to #6 this round. His proof increased 123 lbs. of milk, 14 lbs. of fat and 8 lbs. of protein. He held steady on his conformation proof. This full brother to Mogul is proving that the apple does not fall far from the tree. Mixer and Mogul are excellent examples of the best way to utilize genomics. Here you have two full brothers that, under the pre-genomic era of sampling sires, we would not have known which one was better. But, as genomics predicted in August of 2012, Mogul is the better of the two sires though both are outstanding sires. The question now becomes, “Will Mixer get the opportunity that Mogul has had to become an impact sire?”

#7. Moonboy

Can you have too much of a good thing? Well, don’t tell that to Select Sires. Moonboy ranks 5th of their 7 sires in the top ten TPI proven sires for Select. He was (3rd among new release as well. Like Mixer, Moonboy is the lesser known of a famous brother, Mccutchen. Though, unlike Mixer, Moonboy actually now stands ahead (though just slightly) of his famous brother. (+2396 vs +2379). Sully Shottle May-TW EX-90 DOM is proving to be a can’t- miss dam of sires, with sons Manitoba, Predestine, Mayfield, AltaMeteor, and Mexico all receiving outstanding proofs. Moonboy has a solid all-around proof though he will certainly need to be protected on his fat, straightness of legs and rump angle.

#8. McCutchen

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De-Su Bkm McCutchen 1174-ET TY
Bookem x Shottle x O Man

The 4th new release sire for Select Sires in the top 10, McCutchen comes as no surprise to most breeders. While he did not hold his lofty +2547 gTPI, he is still an outstanding +2379, good for #8 on the proven sire list just behind his brother Moonboy and slightly ahead of his sire Bookem, who stands at 9th on the list. MCCUTCHEN`s daughters show the potential he has to sire extreme balance between solid production and outstanding conformation. McCutchen is a high type sire that also delivers calving ease and solid health traits.

#9. (T) Bookem

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De-Su 521 Bookem-ET TR TY
Planet x Ramos x AltaHershel

Dropping from the #3 spot last round to tied for #9 this time would have you think that Bookem must have had a significant decline in his overall numbers. In fact, he only lost 40 points. However, with so many new sires coming out, he dropped in the rankings. Bookem sires extreme production and offers breed leading protein and milk, with strong health and fertility traits. Bookem’s type breakdown shows that the only significant protection he needs on his rumps.

#9. (T) Numero Uno

Rounding out the top 10 is Amighetti Numero Uno. As expected, Numero Uno’s production continued to drop. It now stands -399 Milk. (Read more: US December 2014 Genetic Evaluations Highlights ) His overall proof was bolstered by an increase in %F and a slight increase in %P. Numero Uno also received his first official proof in Canada, where he stands #17 on the Proven LPI list. Expect him to sire outstanding type improvement, specifically udders and legs, but he certainly needs to be protected on his overall production.

Top Genomic Sires over 1 Year of Age

#1. Director

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Mr Pre Director 57512-ET
Predestine x Robust x Planet

Heading the list of top sires over one year of age is Director. He is yet another outstanding son from Miss Ocd Robst Delicious-ET VG-86 DOM. Delicious is proving herself as an outstanding producer of high genomic progeny, similar to the likes of Ammon-Peachey Shauna-ET VG-87 and Sully Shottle May-TW EX-90 DOM. While not as lofty in type numbers as some of the top genomic sires, Director will sire solid mammary systems and feet and legs, though he will need to be protected on his dairy strength (body depth, stature and chest width). He will also need to be protected on his rump angle and loin strength. He will sire high component improvement as well as outstanding productive life and conception traits.

#2. Delta

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Mr Mogul Delta 1427-ET TY
Mogul x Robust x Planet

Standing tall and holding his #2 spot on the top genomic sires over a year of age is Delta. Delta is the Mogul brother to Director from Miss Ocd Robst Delicious-ET VG-86 DOM. Delta has extremely high ratings for CM$ 899 and milk (1487), fat (90), protein (52), PL (8.0) and SCS (2.84). Delta should sire strong mammary system improvement, specifically rear udder height and attachments and also solid feet and legs. Delta will need to be protected on his body depth and overall stature.

#3. Denver 1426

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Mr Mogul Denver 1426-ET TY
Mogul x Robust x Planet

With Denver, it is a trifecta for Miss Ocd Robst Delicious-ET VG-86 DOM for genomic sires over a year of age. Denver 1426 is the full brother to Delta. At over 2 points on all type composites and over 2,000 lbs. of milk and positive components, Denver 1426 is in elite company. For those looking to sire high scoring two-year-olds, they will need to protect him on the height of front end and body depth.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

With Powerball-P holding on to the top polled sire status and Archrival standing tall as the top genomic type sire, just ahead of Atwood the top proven type sire, there weren’t significant changes on these lists. With so many new proven sires coming from the high genomic sire ranks and many full brothers proving themselves, the April 2015 US genetic evaluations were certainly a strong validation for genomics.

Everyone is looking for sires that will give them the fastest rate of genetic advancement. The problem is those sires don’t always appear at the top of the TPI or other Index lists. That is why, here at the Bullvine, we have listed the fastest genetic advancement sires. We also want to keep it relatively simple, so similar to aAa, we will give you the sires that are best in each of the five corrective mating areas that producers are most concerned about – balance, production, longevity/durability and health and fertility. The following are our resulting recommendations from the April 2014 Genetic Evaluations:

Overall Performance Improvement

When it comes to an overall performance sire, we are looking for those sires that excel in three key areas – production, durability and health & fertility.

Capital Gain

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Stantons Capital Gain
Mccutchen x Observer x Shottle

From the REGANCREST-PR BARBIE EX-92-7YR-USA DOM GMD 6* mostly known for their high type numbers comes a very balanced sire – CAPITAL GAIN. Adding to the female side of the pedigree is a sire stack that reads like a who’s who (McCutchen x Observer x Shottle x Champion x Durham x Juror x Aerostar). CAPITAL GAIN ranks in the top 1% of the breed for the major categories. He is over 2000lbs of milk, 4 points for PTAT and productive life and health and fertility. Some areas that he will need to be watched for are his short teats, high rump angle and loin strength, as well as the set and curve of his read legs. CAPITAL GAIN’s chromosomal test would indicate that he should also be a strong sire of sons, as he possesses a very dominant maternal contribution to his genetic evaluations.

Picardus

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Pine-Tree Picardus
Planet x O Man x Rudolph

A grandson of WESSWOOD-HC RUDY MISSY EX-92 3E GMD DOM that may not be on everyone’s radar but should be is PICARDUS. He is the 2nd highest new release sire this round (Read more: April 2014 US Holstein Sire Proof Highlights). Picardus’ dam is an Oman daughter of Missy. As his sire stack would indicate, Picardus has a strong production proof with good components. While his +1.92 PTAT may have some wondering how he could make the balanced sire list, his daughters are very functional and possess open ribs and high wide rear udders. While his overall feet & legs score is an area for improvement at +0.61, his feet & legs are strong enough in the key areas. Picardus’ official daughter proof is only 31 points below that of his initial genomic proof of April 2011 at +2239 gTPI.

Denver 1426

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Mr Mogul Denver 1426
Mogul x Robust x Planet

An interesting balanced outcross sire that catches our eye comes from the WINDSOR-MANOR RUD ZIP EX-95-4E-USA DOM GMD 1* is DENVER 1426. He is a Mogul from the popular genomic bull mother MISS OCD ROBST DELICIOUS VG-86 GTPI+2546 who was the No.1 cow on the Locator List. At over 2000lbs of milk, almost 3 points on type and 4.7 for productive life, DENVER 1426 possesses a very balanced genomic proof that is above his already high parent averages. His strong maternal line indicates that he should be a strong sire of daughters but may not be an extreme sire of sons.

Eraser P

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Kerndtway Eraser P
Earnhardt P x Observer x Shottle

There is no question that polled sires are gaining rapidly on those sires at the top of the list. One of those sires that is leading the charge is ERASER P. With 145 lbs combined fat and protein, almost 3 points on type, +4.0 PL and strong health and fertility numbers, ERASER P offers an outstanding balanced polled option. One area that you will want to protect ERASER P on is his body depth. While his daughters will not be dominating the tanbark trail, they will have strong udders with great texture.

Production

Instead of just giving you the top overall production sires, we understand that you still need to have some emphasis on durability and health traits. Therefore, we put a heavy weighting on production (66%) but did not forget those two key areas. The following are the sires that stood out the most for us:

Josuper

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Uecker Supersire Josuper
Supersire x Beacon x Jango

While his prefix may not be known to many breeders, this Supersire son is certainly going to get a lot of attention. At +2499 gTPI JOSUPER is the highest TPI sire over 2800 lbs of milk. Combine that with positive deviations for fat and protein and there is no question that JOSUPER will give you a strong production kick when needed. While his type evaluation is very functional, a couple of areas to protect him on include his rump angle and the set of his rear legs. With a strong maternal chromosomal contribution JOSUPER should also be a strong sire of sons. This is something we have found to be very typical of high production sires.

Robust

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Roylane Socra Robust
Socrates x O Man x Manat

In addition to JOSUPER, those breeders looking for a proven sire with a strong production kick should be considering ROBUST. Already a heavily used genomic sire, ROBUST’s proof indicates that he is the real deal. (Read more: ) Robust has proven to be a great performance improver. He is a high NM$ (+834) Velvet-View-KJ SOCRATES-ET (EX-94-GM) son from Seagull-Bay Oman Mirror (VG-86-DOM). He transmits exceptional components (+.15% Fat, +102 Fat, +.05% Protein, +64 Protein) and outstanding longevity (+5.2 Productive Life). A Calving Ease and relative outcross sire, ROBUST moderates stature and adds height and width to the rear udder. Robust will work best on tall deep cattle that need feet and leg improvement.

Montross

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Bacon-Hill Montross
Mogul x Bolton x AltaRolex

Inbreeding is certainly becoming a greater and greater issue among the top sires. An outcross production sire that caught our eye is MONTROSS. As is typically the case with many true outcross pedigrees, his maternal side is not that well known. But his dam UNIQUE-STYLE BOLTON MONEY EX-91 DOM has certainly become a popular bull mother, with 15 sons at 5 different AI units. At +845 NM$ there is no question that MONTROSS will offer a great production kick and have enough durability, health and fertility to last. At over 2 points for UDC and FLC MONTROSS has strong functional type but should be protected for straightness of rear legs and overall frame and capacity traits. However, as we have seen from research in the past, you don’t need extreme frame traits in order to achieve extreme lifetime production. (Read more: She Ain’t Pretty – She Just Milks That Way!).

Socrates P

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Bryhill Socrates P
Supersire x Shottbolt x Goldwyn

A Supersire from the very popular polled bull mother VENTURE SHOTTBOLT SIZZLE P VG-86, SOCRATES P will give you a production punch with a polled kicker added in. Following in his father’s footsteps, SOCRATES P offers strong production improvement with good health and fertility traits and solid conformation traits. With +164 lbs of combined fat and protein, SOCRATES P is the highest component polled sire available in the world. A couple of areas to watch for when using SOCRATES P is his rump angle (high) as well as overall frame and dairy strength.

Longevity Improvement

There is more to longevity than just conformation numbers, as our very popular article “She ain’t pretty she just milks that way” has demonstrated. So with that in mind, instead of just giving you the top conformation sires we have also put weighting on production, productive life, and health and fertility.

High Octane

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Stantons High Octane
McCutchen x Observer x Shottle

Joining his full brother Capital Gain as a sire to use in order to improve longevity is HIGH OCTANE. At +4.10 Type with a DGV for conformation at +23, HIGH OCTANE is certainly a breed leader for conformation improvement. HIGH OCTANE combines that with +2096 lbs of Milk and over +4.2 PL, making him a conformation sire with a shot of production and a longevity chaser. You will need to protect him on his % components and short teats. HIGH OCTANE does offer a great alternative to those not wanting to use Capital Gain because of his high rump angle, as HIGH OCTANE’s genomic test would indicate that he actually sires low pins.

G W Atwood

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Maple-Downs-I G W Atwood
Goldwyn x Durham x Storm B/R

It’s really hard to discuss type improvement without including G W ATWOOD. (Read more: The 10 Extreme Type Sires Most Likely To Sire the Next World Champion). However unlike many of the top type sires who are negative for production and low fertility scores, Atwood actually has solid components and acceptable health and fertility numbers. Atwood offers the great mammary systems his pedigree would indicate however he needs to be protected for flat loins and high pins, much like his sire. While you most certainly would want to protect him on production and daughter fertility, Atwood will add a punch of type to your high producing 2yr olds that, for whatever reason, may not be around for many more lactations.

McGucci

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MR Apples McGucci
McCutchen x Regiment-RED x Durham

For those looking for something a little different and yet a pedigree that the market will be heavily interested in, there is MCGUCCI. This McCutchen son is from none other than the world famous KHW REGIMENT APPLE-RED-ET CV EX-96 3E DOM (Read more: KHW Regiment Apple-Red – Beauty, performance, and even more record accomplishments). While Apple has been long known in the R&W market for strong type, the family has been coming on strong in the overall index rankings over recent years. Interestingly MCGUCCI is not from a grand-daughter, like the high indexing EASTSIDE LEWISDALE GOLD MISSY daughters that have come on so strong for that show winning cow, but rather he is direct from Apple herself. While you certainly will need to protect MCGUCCI on his production, he does offer component improvement and strong health and fertility traits. As is typical with the Apple family, you will need to protect him on rumps.

Champ P

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All-Riehl Ladds Champ
Ladd-Red x Super x Shottle

In addition to Eraser P, those breeders looking for a polled sire to improve longevity should consider CHAMP P. CHAMP P’s dam TRULEA SUPER CHARITY7296-ET VG-88 was the number 23 gTPI cow on the locator list (GP-83 or higher). Behind that are 3 EX dams so it’s no wonder CHAMP P comes to the top of the list. But what really catches our attention is his +7.1 PL and positive components. These are exactly what you need when looking for longevity improvement. You will need to protect CHAMP P on his body depth and rump angle.

Health and Fertility Improvement

There is no question that management is key when improving overall herd health and fertility. Having said that, with the introduction of genomics and the increased reliability, it is now becoming more and more important for your breeding programs to look at health and fertility traits and sires that excel in those areas. Here are some that you should take a closer look at.

Yoder

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Woodcrest Mogul Yoder
Mogul x Planet x Buckeye

While Capital Gain, Josuper, High Octane, Denver 1426 are all sires to consider when looking for health and fertility improvement, an extreme outlier sire that you should consider is YODER. His genomic test is 7% higher than his parent averages and his production predicted daughter deviations are some of the highest in the breed. These high ratings contribute to his #9 overall ranking on the top genomic TPI young sires list. (Read more: The Number That Will Change the Way You Look At Genetic Evaluations Forever…) YODER comes from a long line of high production cows and is a direct descendant of the well-known brood cow, Milkworth Manfred Yadda (VG-86-GMD-DOM). He ranks high for Net Merit (NM$) (+924) and Cheese Merit (CM$) (+1,002). YODER is a fitness trait specialist with low Somatic Cell Score (SCS) (2.74) and terrific Productive Life (PL) (+5.3). While results are sure to be highly variable, Yoder will certainly be worth taking the shot on if you are looking to produce that next generation of extreme production daughters and sons from a large framed high production cow. If you are looking for more on outlier sires check out The 10 Outlier Sires that will Accelerate Your Genetic Gain the Fastest.

AltaGreatest

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Den-K AltaGreatest
Planet x Bolton x BW Marshall

The highest new release gTPI proven sire this round was Den-K AltaGreatest and he is also an extreme health and fertility improvement sire. He comes in at #5 gTPI on the US proven list. AltaGreatest is from the Den-K Rudolph Cub Kiddy EX-91 2E GMD DOM family. An extreme production sire with high components, AltaGreatest also has functional type. Look for AltaGreatest daughters to have shallow udders with strong suspensory ligaments. One area the AltaGreatest daughters will need to be protected on is their rump angle and pin width. AltaGreatest will work well on your straight legged cows, as long as they have good foot angle. It is interesting to note that AltaGreatest`s official proof is within 60 points of his initial genomic proof back in April 2011 of gTPI +2315. For more new release highlights from the past round check out April 2014 US Holstein Sire Proof Highlights.

Pure

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Ste Odile Pure
Mogul x Man-O-Man x AltaBaxter

When looking for an outcross sire to improve health and fertility, there is Denver 1426, Yoder, Montross and PURE. PURE’s dam, STE ODILE MANOMAN MOD PLATINE VG-86-2YR, is the #5 GLPI cow in Canada and is a full sister to the #1 GLPI cow in Canada for 3 consecutive runs, STE ODILE MANOMAN MODEL SAPHIR VG 2Yr. PURE combines outstanding production (+2239 lbs Milk, +87F and +74P) with strong type (+3.17 PTAT, +2.91 UDC, +2.71 FLC) and outstanding health and fertility traits (+5.3 PL, +2.89 SCS, +5.9 Sire Calving Ease, +5.0 Daughter Calving Ease). Pure will work best on big opened framed cows, as these are areas that he needs to be protected on.

Science P

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Bryhill Science P
Numero Uno x Shottbolt x Goldwyn

For those looking to get really ahead of the marketplace, there is no better way to do than to combine polled and health and fertility traits. In addition to Eraser P and Socrates P, there is SCIENCE P. SCIENCE P is the Numero Uno brother to Socrates P by Shottle from VENTURE SHOTTBOLT SIZZLE P VG-86. Look for SCIENCE P for average production with strong components. He will also offer a strong type improvement but needs to be protected on his rump angle. Where he will really shine is in his health and fertility traits (+4.1 PL, +2.68 SCS, +7.3 SCE, +5.9 DCE).

The Bottom Line

There is no question that the rate of genetic gain is as fast as it has ever been in the history of dairy cattle breeding. What we are now starting to see is that the top genomic sires are becoming the top proven sires and the top proven sires numbers are holding better than the ever have before.

With each new proof round comes new sires, new rankings and, frankly, new headaches. Wanting to do more than just pump out the same old lists that really do not mean anything to anyone but the semen marketers, or just promote the bulls from the studs who pay us the most money, the Bullvine took a look at the recent December 2013 Genetic Evaluations to find not only the list toppers, but a deeper look to find those unique sires that will address your key breeding challenges.

Overall Performance Improvement

When looking for the sire that will help improve your herd across the board, we looked for sires that have a balance of production and longevity, and most importantly a proven pedigree that ensures that their performance will last. We also wanted great health and fertility traits that will deliver a low maintenance cow (Read more – Fact vs. Fantasy: A realistic approach to sire selection). Here are our top four:

Production Improvement

It might be easy to just take the top milk lists or combine the fat plus protein and say those sires are the best for overall production. We here at the Bullvine would not want to totally forgo type as well as health and fertility, so we are looking for the sires that give you the maximum production gain, without sacrificing everything to get it. In addition to Robust, Ruble and Balisto mentioned above, some other production improvement sires to consider include:

FLEVO GENETICS SNOWMAN
O Man x BW Marshall x Aaron
Proven Sire
+2075 lbs Milk -0.03 %F +67 lbs. F -0.01 %P +61 lbs P 1.9 PL 2.79 SCS +2.43 PTAT +2109 TPI
+3059 kgs. Milk -0.15 F +98 kgs. F -0.03 %P +94 kgs P +104 HL 2.67 SCS +11 Conf. +3112 LPI
When it comes to production improvement it is hard to argue with Snowman. While many people are mixed on Snowman daughters, there is no question that they know how to milk. Snowman is your classic milk bull. He has extreme component yields with average type. However, as history teaches us, extreme sires are exactly the ones that we need to use most in order to accelerate genetic advancement. While not high type, Snowman daughters are surprising many by being solid VG milk cows. He certainly needs to be protected for fat percentage and straight rear legs and most definitely DPR. But if you have the high fat percent heifer or cow that needs an instant production hit, Snowman is the man. Since semen is in limited supply maybe consider a couple of his sons, full brothers SEAGULL-BAY PLATINUM or DIAMOND or maybe S-S-I SNOWMAN MAYFLOWER.

MARS ALTAFIXMAN
Fibrax x O Man x Sinatra
Proven Sire – Alta Genetics
+911 lbs Milk +0.19 %F +84 lbs. F +0.12 %P +60 lbs P 0.3 PL 3.13 SCS +0.91 PTAT +1986 TPI
+1246 kgs. Milk +0.52F +100 kgs. F +0.36 %P +78 kgs P +104 HL 3.22 SCS +3 Conf. +2918 LPI
With the exception of O Man, most breeders would probably never have heard of many of the sires in AltaFixman’s pedigree. That’s mostly a result of the international genetics marketplace these days, as his sire, Fibrax is from Italy and his dam, FROUKJE 375 is from the Mars herd in The Netherlands. But don’t let this relatively unknown pedigree scare you. It is actually based on generation after generation of strong type and production. Although his overall Milk numbers may seem average, his components are out of this world. At +.19%F +84 lbs of Fat and +.12%P +60lbs of Protein, AltaFixman is certainly a strong component punch whenever you need it. Type wise look for AltaFixman to sire good all around solid cows that could be protected on median suspensory ligament and body depth. As an added bonus, since AltaFixman is such a non North American pedigree, he is certainly an outcross to most North American cattle.

SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE
Robust x Planet x Shottle
Genomic Sire – Select Sires
+2342 lbs Milk +0.08 %F +107 lbs. F +0.02 %P +75 lbs P 5.4 PL 2.80 SCS +2.38 PTAT +2413 TPI
+2586 kgs. Milk +0.25F +122 kgs. F +0.06 %P +91 kgs P +111 HL 2.85 SCS +9 Conf. +3395 LPI
Of course it’s hard to mention any production improvement without including Supersire. This Robust son from AMMON-PEACHEY SHAUNA VG-87-2YR-USA, really is a genomic wonder. Not only does he have the highest genomic values in the breed for production but he also has great functional type and health traits to go with it. Here you have a sire that is 2342 lbs. for milk, with positive component deviations, 2.38 for type, and over +5 for productive life. Supersire daughters and sons are already topping many of the lists. While Supersire daughters will not be winning many shows, his no holes type linear has resulted in his widespread use and so far he has delivered on all expectations.

BUSH-BROS ALTABGOOD
Robust x Massey x Boliver
Genomic Sire – Alta Genetics
+1603 lbs Milk +0.13 %F +93 lbs. F +0.09 %P +71 lbs P 4.5 PL 2.85 SCS +2.41 PTAT +2373 TPI
+858 kgs. Milk +0.41F +113 kgs. F +0.28 %P +89 kgs P +110 HL 2.89 SCS +7 Conf. +3256 LPI
Another Robust son that should certainly get your attention is AltaBgood. While not an international pedigree like AltaFixman, AltaBgood’s pedigree will not spark instant recognition for most breeders. What you do get is generation after generation of genomic performance that is higher than their parent averages. While those wanting pedigree power to go with the genomic test may not want to use AltaBgood, those that have confidence in the genomic system should certainly take a look. Like AltaFixman, AltaBgood will also sire extreme component improvement (+.13%F +93lbs F +.09%P +71 lbs P). He combines these outstanding components with a strong type linear and average health traits. AltaBgood will need to be protected for high pins and dairy strength.

Longevity Improvement

While some would try to tell you that high type equals longevity, that is not necessarily the case. When it comes to longevity, it’s hard to argue with actual performance indices like Herd Life and Productive Life. In order to give a more balanced approach to longevity, we looked at both and came up with the following top sires:

COYNE-FARMS DORCY
Bolton x Bret x Rudolph
Proven Sire – ABS Global
+1603 lbs Milk -0.04 %F +46 lbs. F -0.01 %P +46 lbs P 4.9 PL 2.70 SCS +3.00 PTAT +2267 TPI
+1721 kgs. Milk -0.16F +48 kgs. F -0.02 %P +53 kgs P +114 HL 2.67 SCS +13 Conf. +2971 LPI
Another popular genomic sire that has become a mainstay on the proven sire lists is Dorcy. DORCY offers breeders a little different pedigree with no O Man, Planet, Goldwyn or Shottle in it. The impressive combination of type and production from his cow family and daughters are readily evident in DORCY’s proof with +1603M +46F +46P +623NM 2.70SCS +4.90PL and +3.00T +3.22UDC +3.07FLC. He has good ratings for all functional traits except for calving ease. Breeders interested in a Bolton son from an outcross pedigree, top notch udders, very good feet & legs and functional traits may consider Dorcy. Dairy Strength and Rump are only slightly above breed norms. Look for Dorcy to sire balanced dairy cattle that have great udders and very good feet & legs, though he will need to be protected for fat percent and dairy strength, specifically his body depth and chest width.

Health and Fertility Improvement

With the constant improvement in the accuracy of health and fertility index calculations, more and more breeders are confidently including Health and Fertility traits in their breeding requirements.

DE-SU OBSERVER
Planet x O Man x BW Marshall
Proven Sire – Select Sires
+1416 lbs Milk +0.00 %F +43 lbs. F -0.01 %P +49 lbs P 5.9 PL 2.84 SCS +2.64 PTAT +2186 TPI
+1973 kgs. Milk -0.05 F +68 kgs. F +0.02 %P +66 kgs P +111 HL 2.83 SCS +12 Conf. +3072 LPI
Carrying the flag and riding the wave of the health and fertility trend is De-Su Observer. This sire has been the poster child for high health and fertility since his early genomic numbers came back and catapulted him into international use. With his daughter performance validating his early numbers, Observer has to be one of the quickest sires in history to get to 99% Reliability. His daughters stamp out a pretty consistent pattern with strong production and solid type. Type wise he has actually performed pretty well, with daughters exhibiting outstanding udders (watch out for short teats) and solid feet and legs. One area you will also want to protect him on is his dairy strength, as his daughters are certainly not deep and could stand to have more chest width.

ZANI BOLTON MASCALESE
Bolton x O Man x Adam
Proven Sire – Semenzoo
+1562 lbs Milk +0.02 %F +53 lbs. F +0.01 %P +59 lbs P -0.3 PL 2.75 SCS +2.79 PTAT +2072 TPI
+2084 kgs. Milk -0.05 F +73 kgs. F +0.07 %P +75 kgs P +104 HL 2.76 SCS +14 Conf. +3091 LPI
With such a push on health traits over the past few years, it’s actually almost impossible to find an outcross sire on the top lists. If you are one of the few that didn’t go heavy on Mascalese as a genomic sire, you certainly can take advantage of that now by using him or one of his many sons. Possessing greater conformation than his sire stack would indicate, MASACLESE sires strong dairy cattle that are durable and possess good health traits. For those looking for a more outcross sire that is high for health and fertility, try Erdman mentioned above.

CO-OP UPD HUNTER SALVINO
Hunter x Massey x Ally
Genomic Sire – Cooperative Resources International (CRI)
+1265 lbs Milk +0.21 %F +101 lbs. F +0.08 %P +61 lbs P +3.9 PL 2.81 SCS +2.46 PTAT +2401 TPI
+1474 kgs. Milk +0.51 F +107 kgs. F +0.22 %P +72 kgs P +112 HL 2.78 SCS +12 Conf. +3353 LPI
If you’re looking for something a little different and an outcross pedigree, try Salvino. Another product of the Genesis program at CRI, Salvino is a 2nd generation product of this program. His dam’s sire, Massey, was one of the early success stories of this program. Look for Salvino to sire strong component improvement with a solid type linear. In a market place flooded with many of the same bloodlines, finding a sire that is a little different and yet still able to deliver top progeny can be a challenge. Salvino may be your best option for a relative outcross sire that still can compete with the other top genomic sires.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

We have stated it many times. In maximizing your genetic gain, you can’t just pick from the top of the TPI or LPI list. You need to make sure that your matings are the best corrective cross. Breeding great cattle is part art and part science. You need to have both parts. It takes careful consideration and generation after generation of corrective mating to breed great cow families. That is why, instead of just giving you a list of the top 12, we have tried to provide you with insight into which sires will provide you with the maximum gain in each specific area.